# An American Tragedy — Character guide

> Key figures in An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.

- [Clyde Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/clyde_griffiths.md): Ambitious young man from a poor family who seeks wealth and status in Lycurgus.
- [Roberta Alden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/roberta_alden.md): A factory worker who becomes romantically involved with Clyde, with tragic consequences.
- [Sondra Finchley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/sondra_finchley.md): Wealthy socialite who captivates Clyde and represents his aspirations.
- [Hortense Briggs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/hortense_briggs.md): A flirtatious and manipulative young woman in Clyde's early life.
- [Samuel Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/samuel_griffiths.md): Clyde's wealthy uncle and owner of the collar factory in Lycurgus.
- [Gilbert Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/gilbert_griffiths.md): Clyde's cousin and manager at the family collar factory.
- [Asa Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/asa_griffiths.md): Clyde's devout and struggling parents who run a mission.
- [Esta Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/esta_griffiths.md): Clyde's older sister who runs away and faces hardship.
- [Orville Mason](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/orville_mason.md): The district attorney who prosecutes Clyde for murder.
- [Alvin Belknap](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/alvin_belknap.md): A defense lawyer who represents Clyde during his trial.
- [Reuben Jephson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/reuben_jephson.md): A young lawyer assisting Belknap in Clyde's defense.
- [Bella Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/bella_griffiths.md): Clyde's cousin and a member of the wealthy Griffiths family.
- [Thomas Ratterer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/thomas_ratterer.md): A bellhop and friend of Clyde during his time at the hotel.
- [Oscar Hegglund](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/oscar_hegglund.md): A bellhop colleague of Clyde in Chicago.
- [Willard Sparser](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/sparser.md): A friend of Clyde's from his hotel days.
- [Bertine Cranston](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/bertine_cranston.md): A wealthy young woman in Lycurgus society.
- [Constance Wynant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/constance_wynant.md): A young woman in Lycurgus social circles.
- [Fred Heit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/fred_heit.md): A coroner involved in the investigation.
- [Duncan McMillan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/duncan_mcmillan.md): A reverend who provides spiritual counsel to Clyde in prison.
- [Orrin Short](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/orrinshort.md): A friend of Clyde's from his hotel days.
- [Governor Waltham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/governor_waltham.md): The governor who considers Clyde's clemency appeal.
- [Clifford Golden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/clifford_golden.md): A man who resembles Clyde and is mentioned in the trial.
- [Rita Dickerman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/rita_dickerman.md): A young woman Clyde becomes involved with in Lycurgus.
- [Gertrude Trumbull](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/gertrude_trumbull.md): A member of the Trumbull family in Lycurgus.
- [Burton Burleigh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/burton_burleigh.md): A detective who investigates Roberta's death.
- [Grant Cranston](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/grant_cranston.md): A wealthy young man in Lycurgus society.
- [Maida Axelrod](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/maida_axelrod.md): A young woman in Lycurgus social circles.
- [Wallace Trone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/wallace_trone.md): A friend of Clyde's from his hotel days.
- [Elvira Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/elvira_griffiths.md): Clyde's mother, a devout and determined woman.
- [Tom Keary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/tom_keary.md): A young man mentioned in Lycurgus social circles.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters